Lyna Mohammad
In commemoration of Heroes’ Day 2022 on Thursday, the Indonesian Embassy in Brunei Darussalam held a ceremony at its premises at Diplomatic Enclave in Jalan Kebangsaan.
Acting as inspector of the ceremony was Indonesian Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Dr Sujatmiko, while the commander of the ceremony was Assistant Defence Attache at the embassy Major Caj Tinton Kurniawan.
At the ceremony, a historical account of Indonesia’s national heroes was read, such as the role of Ki Hajar Dewantara (Hero of Education), Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo (Hero of Health), Tjut Nyak Dien (Hero of Independence from Aceh), and RA Kartini (Hero of Women’s Rights and Female Education).
The reading was meant to invoke the spirit of the struggle in building the nation and to absorb the lessons to be applied in everyday life.
Dr Sujatmiko in his remarks said that current conditions are very different compared to the situation of the past heroes, however, the context remains the same – that the struggle continues in an effort to improve the Indonesian people’s welfare. The ambassador also said that Heroes’ Day should not only be remembered every November 10, and should be more meaningful than just a routine commemoration every year.
He added that the day commemorates and honours the heroes’ struggles and their fight to maintain independence, as well as to build collective memory to increase people’s awareness to emulate the heroes’ values.
The Heroes’ Day should also instil heroic values into the young generation while it is hoped that they will participate in developing Indonesia, according to their potential and profession, in accordance with this year’s theme ‘My Heroes are My Models’.
The ceremony was also attended by embassy staff, Dharma Wanita Persatuan (Embassy’s Women Association), and representatives from various communities and Indonesian students residing in Brunei Darussalam.
November 10 was designated as Heroes’ Day in 1959 by Indonesia’s first president Ir Soekarno and the date marks a historic event in the nation’s history in maintaining its independence – the Battle of Surabaya on November 10, 1945 – to commemorate the services of the heroes.